Having set up a manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi recently, Saint-Gobain Gyproc Middle East will be launching eight new products by year’s end and a further range consisting of more than 20 products.

The company manufactures and supplies all the components required for complete drylining wall and ceiling systems. This includes the local manufacture of a range of regular and performance plasterboards in over 37 size and dimension variations which enable significant improvements in fire, acoustic, impact and moisture performance.

Gyproc was established in the Middle East in 2004 in the Jebel Ali Free Zone initially as a trading company bringing in products from manufacturing facilities within the group – primarily from the Far East. Earlier this year the company inaugurated its state-of-the-art $60 million plasterboard manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi.

The heritage of Saint-Gobain, Gyproc’s parent company, dates back to 1665 when Louis XIV signed a patent letter to manufacture glass for the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versaille, Paris - the first time glass has been produced in flat sheets.

Chambers: the new plant has ‘massive” potential

The Gyproc division’s history dates back to 1917 with the establishment of BPB in the UK for the production of plaster and plasterboard products.

Saint-Gobain Gyproc also supplies Gypframe metal components that provide structure to the system and a range of high-quality accessories such as Gyproc jointing compound; a range of jointing tapes such as Gyproc fibre and Gyproc  paper tape, and a range of Gyproc screws for direct fixing of plasterboard to metal framing and also for metal-to-metal fixing, says Craig Chambers, managing director, Saint-Gobain Gyproc Middle East.

“All of our products are backed by the SpecSure warranty, guaranteeing any complete Gyproc system. When constructed as per Gyproc’s design details, the products will perform to the performance parameters specified,” says Chambers.

In addition to physical products, the company offers service solutions from assistance and guidance at the design stage through to on-site support during the construction phase.

The opening of the new factory was a major milestone for local business and Saint-Gobain

“The factory opening was a major milestone for the local business and Saint-Gobain. The Gyproc Abu Dhabi plasterboard manufacturing facility is the first manufacturing facility for the company in the Middle East across the entire group – which includes the manufacture of glass, pipes, insulation and packaging. It clearly demonstrates both the group’s and the local company’s commitment to the region,” Chambers says.

“Our business model is based on a distribution strategy in the UAE and throughout the Middle East. Some of the biggest names in construction product distribution are our direct customers. However, through our unrivalled technical and on-site support we have close relationships with key developers, architects, consultants and contractors throughout the region.”

Prestigious jobs

The company’s products have specSure warranty

The company’s products and systems have been used extensively in a number of prestigious projects including the Burj Khalifa, Yas Marina Hotel, Dubai Metro and the Masdar Institute of Technology.

Two of its recent projects include Ferrari Experience and Capital Gate.

Elaborating on the company’s role in projects, Chambers says “Ferrari Experience,  the world’s first Ferrari theme park and largest indoor park in the world, formed one of the centre pieces of the Yas  Island development in Abu Dhabi. Gyproc’s involvement was to provide 6 m high, 120-minute fire-rated partitions that are curved and conform to a specific thickness of 150 mm. In addition, our partitions had to be as lightweight as possible to reduce the imposed load due to the large spans of the floor slabs and to help compensate for live loading during peak times.”

Gyproc fireline

For Capital Gate, the iconic tower that soars 160 m above ground and has been entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s most inclined building with a westward incline of 18 degrees,  Gyproc worked closely with the entire project team and has been very hands on with the development, providing a unique solution for the construction of a partition that could only be built from one side. In addition, the partitions needed to be stepped to account for the unique design of the tower.

Commenting on the market, Chambers says: “2010 has been a very challenging year for us as it has for many other businesses in the region and globally. We have been working hard to build solid strategic foundations for our future development in the region. We do of course see good growth returning to the region in the future, although we do envisage 2011 to be still a challenging business environment. Of course we have a massive potential open to us in converting more traditional build methods into drywall system constructions, as we increase the awareness of the benefits of such systems.”

Optimism voiced

Gyproc jointing compound

On future plans he says: “Our future is firmly in the Middle East region as we look to embed our business and brand throughout the GCC. Though the construction market has been unsteady with many projects being delayed or put on hold, we have continued to support our customers with reliable product availability, high-quality products, technical support in the development stages and on-site and customer service which is key to our business. During 2011 we are sure we will see more projects commencing throughout the region, although the economy still shows signs of an unsettled time ahead for construction.

“Innovation is the core element of any business. By working closely with our customers we will look to further develop the range each year providing products and systems that the market demands.”